Heading Down...

[awhuber]

68 is the way we come home from STL. Dont take this way if you have anyone prone to car sickness. We usually tell our visitors to take 72 as it is a much nicer road.

On a side note: the Salem Tigers football team has beat many a team they should not have because of that bus trip down 68. Nothing like home field advantage.

[lizard]

Well my wife wanted to head back down to Tan Vat Sunday and see If the fishing was as good now as it was 2 weeks ago. I told her we might try a new way, "the back door" just to see if it was any faster. From my properity on Dry Creek in Steelville, we always take 19 to Salem and then out 32 to 119 on in to the park. Hwy 19 is very curvey and up & down the hills, then 32 and 119 always seemed to be a slow-go. Just seems to take a long time to get there. When leaving out of the St. Louis area, 44 to Rolla, to Licking, seemed to be an easy drive. Hence I decided to time 2 different ways this time. I might try to a 3ed some time in the future, but I dont think its that nessesary as the "back Door" approch impressed me. We took 44 down to St.James and thats where I started the clock.

From St. J to Salem I had 27.5 miles and it took 31 mins. Salem to Tan Vat, 20 miles and 29 mins. Total =47.5 miles and 51 mins, Thought to myself, not bad, Gene knows his stuff, he was right.

Fished most of the day around the "rock garden" area and had a fairly good day, not as good as last time but caught plenty of average sized bows mainly nymphing with one nice brown on a dry in the afternoon. 5:30 and time to head home via Rolla.

From Tan Vat to Licking,(vv to 137) 16 miles and 18 mins. Licking to Rolla, 35 miles and 39 mins. Rolla to St. James, 9 miles and 8 mins. Totals = 60 miles and 65 mins

Gene , my hats off to you, you were right, I bow my head, Thanks for getting me to go fishing

[Gene K]

Hwy 19 is very curvey and up & down the hills...

Naw, very fun - if in a 2 seater [thinking you meant 68].

I might try to a 3ed some time in the future...

Still not a believer - okay!

From St. J to Salem I had 27.5 miles and it took 31 mins. Salem to Tan Vat, 20 miles and 29 mins. Total =47.5 miles and 51 mins, Thought to myself, not bad, Gene knows his stuff, he was right.

Had to slow down for some deer, eh?

Gene , my hats off to you, you were right, I bow my head, Thanks for getting me to go fishing

NP, all in good fun. But one person was right about 68 (as I look back at past trips); Don't take someone down that road who is someone who is prone to motion sickness!

P.S. - last time I took 72 was at 2:30 AM when the hurricane remnants came through a few years ago - mainly because we left from Salem hospital. Wife decided [okay, more like pushed by someone] to bust her head open at 2am. Talk about a long drive!

[NoLuck]

Are you guys talking about time from St.Louis??

I make it to Montauk all the time in just under 2 hours going down 44 to 63 and across from Licking. I don't have any problem going the other ways there it just seems like an easier drive going this way. I don't drive overly fast either. The only time I have a problem is when I get stuck behind a camper or slow driver on the road from Licking to Montauk Park. I am only about 10 mins fron 270 and 44 though and you guys may be a little bit farther into the city.

[Gene K]

I make it to Montauk all the time in just under 2 hours going down 44 to 63 and across from Licking.

You are the mang! I couldn't make it from 44&270 in 2 hours driving a 600 hp sports car, driving like I stole it. And I have tried.

[NoLuck]

You are the mang! I couldn't make it from 44&270 in 2 hours driving a 600 hp sports car, driving like I stole it. And I have tried.

Seriously???

Maybe I hit a time warp in my Super High performance Ranger V6. In all seriousness I just set the cruise on about 74 on 44 and I run 63 at about 2-3mph over the limit with no troubles at all. I don't stop anywhere though. I just stock up on drinks and snacks before I hit the road. It takes a couple extra minites if I stop at Casey's though in Licking. Too many goodies in there to pass up.

[Gene K]

Yep, seriously. Going the back door I have made it in under 2:10, but I refuse to give details, as I am not sure of the statute of limitations, pleading the fifth and all that crap. Personally, I would never go Rolla unless I had a super model waiting for me there. But to each their own...

[NoLuck]

Yep, seriously. Going the back door I have made it in under 2:10, but I refuse to give details, as I am not sure of the statute of limitations, pleading the fifth and all that crap. Personally, I would never go Rolla unless I had a super model waiting for me there. But to each their own...

Maybe by me going at such an early time and avoiding traffic in Rolla it makes it quicker. I used to drive like a mad man and it didn't really save that much time to benefit really. Unless you are driving 4-500 miles it makes no sense to drive 10 -15 mph over the limit.

I make it to Bennett most times in 2.5 hours just running normal too. Sometimes if traffic is light and I push it I can make Bennett in 2 hours and 10 mins.

[stlfisher]

I may have to try a new route to Montauk. It usually takes me about 2 1/2 to from STL if I don't stop. If I could make it in 2 hours I would be thrilled.

[hfdhoosier]

I take 44 to St James and go to salem, then 19 to K to E to YY. Saves alot of time, pull my pop up that way. I usually stay at Eagles Park so it is convenient to come in the back way and avoid the road between the park and Eagles that has a mountain on one side and a large drop-off into the river on the other side. Don't like pulling a camper and taking the chance of meeting someone on that skinny road. I saw a guy drop a 28 foot camper off the side, lucky the trees caught his camper but had to have a wrecker upright his camper back onto the road.

Only time I go to Rolla is when we want to stop at Sirloin Stockade, all you can eat steak, they lose money on me